Reddit mentions: The best power chain saws

The way he does it in the video is to draw the blade from the front of the log to the back, so the tip is not contacting wood. For preparing turning blanks I don't think you would need a portable mill, but it would be great for doing lumber.

I've processed perhaps dozens of logs using just my electric chainsaw (I highly recommend the new makita one if you are looking for a replacement) and find that so long as I keep the blade sharp and avoid cutting into end grain it works well enough.

I bought and use one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/GreenWorks-20362-10-Inch-Cordless-Chainsaw/dp/B00LK2MGEA

It works great! I can easily cut 3-4 days worth of wood (not building bonfires or anything, though) before the battery runs out. I sharpen the blade before each trip.

The only problem is that the oil reservoir is kind of leaky. I transport it inside a garbage bag, and don't put oil in until I arrive at my site.

This is what I use and I'm the most handsome guy in town

Anyone know if the Makita version is as good? It's the only one I could find available in the US. Seems to cost a little less, too.

$40 on Amazon:

Greenworks 14-Inch 10.5-Amp Corded Chainsaw 20222
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PBYZ686/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_WIqTCbJ1PYVHZ

I was thinking one of these

The nuns can use the 13 amp Zombi electric chainsaw

Here's a link to a 50cc, 20-inch Poulan chainsaw. $200 on Amazon.

The difference is that this is a 50cc chainsaw, which makes it powerful enough to repeatedly cut through fallen trees and tree limbs, day after day after day. Smaller engines do clog up after a while. Poulan is also owned by Husqvarna now, so there's some design similarities, and you can find replacement parts at the same places you find other chainsaws. And if someone steals or breaks it, you're not out a whole lot of money.

These are Amazon links to electric chainsaws.

These require batteries and/or electricity from a generator, but the thing is that generators last a lot longer than chainsaw engines and you can still cut wood close to home. They're a lot quieter and much less messy. Also much cheaper than gas chainsaws.

Here's a 3 in 1 helmet for chainsawing. $30 off Amazon. Buy a couple of them.


SRA members should help buy both these kinds of chainsaws for storm aid.

I have the Dewalt 20V chainsaw with an Oregon 14" bar for use around the house. I've taken down 10" dbh trees with no trouble. Usually takes almost a whole battery if I buck and limb it, but I have extra batteries. What sold me on it was reviews of professional arborists saying they use it for their climbing saws.

I'd say it's just as powerful as a gas saw of that size. Not sure what it would do in a bad pinch or dirty cuts, but I haven't had any trouble with it.

I'd like to try the 60V version with the big batteries but can't justify it for what I do around here.